, came to the bar with his new spouse; that the whole world
might hold honey-moon with him, and a Law be obtained.

Less joyful are the Laws against Refractory Priests; and yet no less
needful! Decrees on Priests and Decrees on Emigrants: these are the
two brief Series of Decrees, worked out with endless debate, and then
cancelled by Veto, which mainly concern us here. For an august National
Assembly must needs conquer these Refractories, Clerical or Laic, and
thumbscrew them into obedience; yet, behold, always as you turn your
legislative thumbscrew, and will press and even crush till Refractories
give way,--King's Veto steps in, with magical paralysis; and your
thumbscrew, hardly squeezing, much less crushing, does not act!

Truly a melancholy Set of Decrees, a pair of Sets; paralysed by
Veto! First, under date the 28th of October 1791, we have Legislative
Proclamation, issued by herald and bill-sticker; inviting Monsieur, the
King's Brother to return within two months, under penalties. To which
invitation Monsieur replies nothing; or indeed replies by Newspaper
Parody, inviting the august Legislative 'to return to common sense
within two months,' under penalties. Whereupon the Legislative must take
stronger measures. So, on the 9th of November, we declare all Emigrants
to be 'suspect of conspiracy;' and, in brief, to be 'outlawed,' if
they have not returned at Newyear's-day:--Will the King say Veto? That
'triple impost' shall be levied on these men's Properties, or even their
Properties be 'put in sequestration,' one can understand. But further,
on Newyear's-day itself, not an individual having 'returned,' we
declare, and with fresh emphasis some fortnight later again declare,
That Monsieur is dechu, forfeited of his eventual Heirship to the Crown;
nay more that Conde, Calonne, and a considerable List of others are
accused of high treason; and shall be judged by our High Court of
Orleans: Veto!--Then again as to Nonjurant Priests: it was decreed, in
November last, that they should forfeit what Pensions they had; be 'put
under inspection, under surveillance,' and, if need were, be banished:
Veto! A still sharper turn is coming; but to this also the answer will
be, Veto.

Veto after Veto; your thumbscrew paralysed! Gods and men may see that
the Legislative is in a false position. As, alas, who is in a true one?
Voices already murmur for a 'National Convention.' (December 1791 (Hist.
Parl. xii. 257).) This poor Legisl